The Organization of Classic Maya Salt Production at the Paynes Creek Salt Works, Belize

Abstract

Research was carried out over four field seasons at the Paynes Creek Salt Works, Belize, to evaluate the organization of ancient Maya salt production. Excavations and mapping sea-floor artifacts at Ta’ab Nuk Na and Ek Way Nal revealed distinct patterns of artifacts associated with salt kitchens and residences. Salt production at both salt works focused on boiling brine in clay pots over fires inside buildings to make salt cakes, with abundant briquetage (broken salt pottery) indicating the pots were broken before transport, similar to ethnographic accounts at Sacapulas, Guatemala. Excavations at Jay-yi Na revealed open bowls and a lack of trade goods, different from the other sites. The results indicate that by the Late Classic there was surplus household production of salt by local salt workers. They were integrated into a variety of exchange systems, providing salt in exchange for other commodities.